Pet Dentistry

Pet Dentistry here at Northfield Veterinary Hospital

Dental health is one of the most important aspects of a pet’s health, but it’s also one of the most neglected. Pets obviously can’t brush their own teeth, so it’s up to their owners to maintain their oral health for them. To keep your dog’s or cat’s mouth healthy, Denver’s Northfield Veterinary Hospital recommends that he or she have a wellness exam at least once a year. This allows us to check the teeth and gums for any early signs of gum disease. If we detect any of these signs, we can schedule an appointment for a full pet dental exam and cleaning.

We perform our comprehensive pet dental services under general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art dental suite. Your pet benefits from modern monitoring equipment and the latest tools and techniques. Our goal is to ensure that your four-legged friend is as safe and comfortable as possible.

About Your Pet’s Dental Visit

Preceding each pet’s dental procedure is a pre-anesthetic physical exam and blood work. This enables us to check for any underlying health issues. Once we admit your pet into our dental suite, we follow a eight-step process:

  1. Placing of an IV catheter
  2. Administration of pain medications, fluids, and anesthesia through the IV catheter
  3. Removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler
  4. Taking of digital dental X-rays
  5. Polishing of teeth
  6. Placing of bonded sealants, if necessary
  7. Complete dental charting is performed
  8. Extractions of one or more teeth, if necessary

What to Expect After Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning

When your pet’s dental treatment is complete, we discontinue the anesthesia until your pet is fully awake. We’ll move him or her to a recovery area, where we continue to monitor him or her. Then, we’ll contact you to let you know that your pet is ready to be picked up as well as give you updates on their condition. Before we release your companion back to your care, we provide instructions for at-home care to aid in your pet’s recovery. We’ll also offer our recommendations for at-home dental care. We can also provide you with pain medications and antibiotics, if necessary.

Common Symptoms of Dental Disease in Pets

At Northfield Veterinary Hospital, our goal is to help prevent pet dental problems. Dental disease, in particular, can eventually affect the heart, liver, and kidneys if allowed to progress. If you’re unsure if your pet needs a dental cleaning, there are several symptoms (many of which indicate early signs of gum disease) that you can look for, including:

  • Bad breath
  • Abnormal drooling
  • Excessive dropping of food
  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Bumps in the mouth

If you notice any of these signs in your pet, or if you have any questions about our pet dental services, give us a call at 303-375-1735.

Location

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Office Hours

Northfield Veterinary Hospital

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed